Andy Pettitte returns to Yankees on minor-league deal

Not a goodbye, but a hello again -- Andy Pettitte signs with the New York Yankees. (Chris Pedota/The Record)

No sooner had I written that the Yankees were having a low-key spring than the news broke that Andy Pettitte was coming out of retirement and rejoining the Yankees on a one-year minor-league deal worth $2.5 million. I guess Andy has gotten his fill of the kids.

The 39-year old came to spring training camp in February as a guest instructor and looked in playing shape. When asked by the YES Network’s Jack Curry if he still had the “itch” to play. He replied: “I’m sure I could. You start training, working out and get yourself into shape. I would imagine I could.” We’ll soon find out.

Because it’s a minor-league deal, the lefty can take his time getting prepared, so it’s feasible that he could return a month or two into the season if one of the starters goes down with an injury or one of the youngsters like Michael Pineda or Ivan Nova are struggling.

The 240-game-winner makes the Yankees pitching depth even deeper. While I’m not quite sure how I feel about this move as it relates to the growth of some of the young arms the team has, I am excited at the prospect of seeing Pettitte on the mound again. You really can never have too much pitching.

I have been a writer and editor for 20 years, but I've been a die-hard Yankee fan for almost all my life. Long ball, small ball, I dig it all. I'm a New York native transplanted in Seattle still not quite used to a one-horse MLB town.